The well-being of UT Austin students, faculty, and staff is the primary concern of the Global Risk & Safety unit of Texas Global.
In support of the mission and core values of The University of Texas at Austin, we monitor worldwide travel conditions and compile and disseminate safety resources to assist students, faculty and staff traveling abroad on official university study or business. The GRS team regularly attends conferences and workshops for international travel and security professionals to stay informed and trained so we can support the UT Austin community.
We also lead UT Austin’s International Oversight Committee (IOC) and work in partnership with Education Abroad, Travel Management Services and other units across campus to provide guidance related to matters of international health and safety, so that research and study abroad continue to enrich the lives and careers of our students, faculty and staff.
Global Risk and Safety closely monitors world events and news. The moment we hear about an emergency abroad where UT Austin travelers are located, we begin contacting any potentially impacted travelers to confirm their safety and to ascertain if they need any assistance. This is why it’s very important to respond to any emails or phone calls you get from us – otherwise, we will start contacting your emergency contacts. We also work very closely with Education Abroad during these instances.
If you are experiencing an emergency that requires urgent medical care or police assistance, the first thing you should do is dial the country’s equivalent to 9-1-1 for immediate help. You should then contact On Call International as soon as it is safe to do so through one of the methods below.
For any other problem, contact On Call International first using:
Additionally, you can contact the UT Austin Police Department 24/7 at (512) 471-4441. All calls will be immediately routed to the appropriate Texas Global crisis manager. Our email address for emergencies is EmergencyAbroad@austin.utexas.edu.
Only if there is an emergency and we cannot reach you. This is why it is very important to respond to any emails or phone calls you receive from us.
Global Risk and Safety (GRS) is a separate unit within Texas Global, dedicated to the well-being of UT Austin students, faculty, and staff abroad. We monitor worldwide travel conditions and distribute safety resources to assist travelers on official university travel. The GRS team works closely with the Education Abroad unit, especially during crisis situations.
Visit the Health and Safety Resources page.
Contact the Global Risk & Safety team in the UT Texas Global at (512) 232-9581. Our business hours are 8am to 5pm CST, Monday through Friday. You can also email grs@austin.utexas.edu for questions/concerns related to Restricted Regions, insurance, or non-Restricted Regions travel.
The International Oversight Committee at Texas Global is charged with administering the UT Travel Policy to Restricted Regions to protect the well-being of students, faculty and staff traveling abroad on UT-related activities.
The International Critical Incident Response Team (I-CIRT), is a specially selected group responsible for assisting the Senior Vice Provost for Global Engagement during an international emergency or crisis situation.
Global Risk & Safety hosts a number of workshops and events throughout the year, including required workshops for study abroad faculty leaders. The GRS team regularly hosts Q&A sessions covering the Restricted Regions Process, the International Travel Policy, the Health Clearance Process, and the International Group Travel Approval Process (SAIGE). View all of our upcoming events.
Email us at grs@austin.utexas.edu for additional information.